Chipping Norton’s highly promising motor racing driver Alice Powell has been shortlisted for the 2009 women of the future awards.

The national awards recognise young women with outstanding talent, and the ceremony will be held on November 12 at the Marriott Hotel in London.

Sixteen-year-old Powell (pictured left) has been nominated for the young star award for women aged 16-21.

This year, Powell became the youngest female driver in the Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship – the 150mph single-seater race series which provides a stepping stone to F1.

Competing with the championship-winning team Manor Competition, who launched the careers of Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Kimi Räikkönen – she hopes to follow in their footsteps.

Powell said: “It’s a real honour to be shortlisted and get recognition.

“Few women have made it in motorsport and no-one has made a real impact in Formula 1 – that is my ambition.

“I think the time is right, if a girl is out there doing well, then more women would watch Formula 1 and it would make it more exciting.”

Powell added: “I’d like to be a role model for girls entering motorsport.

“A successful woman in the sport would be a true ambassador. I am breaking new ground and would like to do for motorsport what Ellen MacArthur has done for sailing.”